Was this prophetic. (1904)

From the November 1904 issue of the Socialist Standard

Quoth he, “I am resolved to be

Thy scholar in this mystery ;

And therefore first desire to know

Some principles on which you go—

What makes a knave a child of God

And one of us ? —”A livelihood.”

“What renders beating out of brains,

And murder, godliness ?”—”Great gains.”

“What makes you encroach upon our trade

And damn all others'” ?—”To be paid.”

“What makes all doctrines plain and clear?”—

“About two hundred pounds a year.”

“And that which was proved true before.

Prove false again?”—”two hundred more.”

“And what makes breaking of all oaths

A holy duty ?”—”Food and clothes.”

“What’s orthodox and true believing

Against a conscience?”—”A good living.”

From Hudibras by Samuel Butler, 1612-1680.